Glasses in the 13th-15th Centuries

Roger Bacon

One of the first researchers to notice the property of a glass sphere segment to improve the vision of those with poor sight was the Franciscan monk, philosopher, natural scientist, and lecturer from Oxford, Roger Bacon (c. 1214, Ilchester, – c. 1292, Oxford).

Cardinal Hugo di Provenza

Fresco by the monk Tommaso da Modena in the Church of San Nicolo in Treviso (1352), depicting Cardinal Hugo di Provenza with glasses on his nose — the first depiction of glasses in the history of art.

Cardinal Nicola De Rouen

Fresco in the Church of San Nicolo in Treviso, depicting Cardinal Nicola De Rouen reading a book through a monocle.

Conrad von Soest

Work of the German painter Conrad von Soest from Bad Wildungen (Hesse), dated 1403, depicting an apostle in glasses. Vision problems have always existed, and glasses were a fairly common phenomenon in the 15th century among those who could afford this luxury. Scissors-glasses were held in the hand like a lorgnette.

"Saint Catherine with Philosophers"

15th-century miniature. The same "scissors-glasses".

Jan van Eyck

"The Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele" (1436), located in the Municipal Art Gallery of Bruges. Created by early Netherlandish Renaissance painter Van Eyck.

Jan van Eyck (Fragment)

Enlarged fragment of the painting showing the canon with glasses in his hands.

Jan van Eyck (Fragment)

Another enlarged fragment depicting rough 15th-century glasses.

Jaume Ferrer II

Saint Jerome depicted by Catalan painter Jaume Ferrer II (1450). Glasses are considered an attribute of "scholarliness". Located in the National Museum of Catalan Art.

Saint James from the "World Chronicle"

Miniature from the "Nuremberg Chronicle" (1493) by Hartmann Schedel, depicting Saint James with glasses in his hands.

Medieval Eyewear

Historical depiction from the Danube region collection (Krems an der Donau).

Medieval Eyewear

Historical depiction from the Danube region collection (Krems an der Donau).